Alencon tribunal 18/3/11
Discussion
Now this date was fixed in my head but I can't find the original thread from some months back. If you recall a PHer was caught at 254kph on the motorway near Alencon, and I think - in fact I'm sure - that the final date for the court appearance was yesterday. Now I can't find anything in the local paper on line to see if he managed to save his Ferrari California from the clutches of the state, but if anyone knows the outcome I'd be glad if they would post here. Would make my day if he got away with just a fine and a ban on driving in France, both of which would surely apply, but got to keep his car.
As per usual Lowdrag, money talks it seems. Poor saps like me would have my car crushed, thrown into prison and fined £30,000 and worse, banned from attending the Le Man 24Hrs for life. Then again, driving at 158mph is insane on a public road.
Edited by Rs2oo on Friday 25th March 10:51
I agree, driving like that, just makes it all the worst for us every time June comes around. They need very little excuse to increase police presence as it is.
But, on the matter of "crushing the car", regardless of what type it is, (although a Ferrari California, does make it a bit more emotive), and not wanting to open a can of worms, but do they have the right to take a persons property and destroy it. After all, the driver did get a largish fine, and lengthy ban for his troubles. Just wondering if a European court would uphold this decision, rather than one based in Le Sarthe.
But, on the matter of "crushing the car", regardless of what type it is, (although a Ferrari California, does make it a bit more emotive), and not wanting to open a can of worms, but do they have the right to take a persons property and destroy it. After all, the driver did get a largish fine, and lengthy ban for his troubles. Just wondering if a European court would uphold this decision, rather than one based in Le Sarthe.
I think this is a good settlement as it confirms a precedent that the French state/prosecutors have confirmed that the guy clearly didn't significantly endanger life at this speed, like doing 80kph in a busy village centre would be, or like being "under the influence" at whatever speed, wherever, would be.
Speed, as an offence is total b
ks IMHO, if it's appropriate, like on the autoroute in good weather in the daylight. Dangerous and reckless driving (as referred to above) are serious IMO and there's no correlation between these things and "speed" is there?
Speeding in reality is a stealth tax, as it's easy to measure and there's lots of punters and it generates serious cash.
Why don't the authorities focus on dangerous and reckless driving? 'Cos it's not 'cost effective' and it doesn't generate stats that make the enforcers look like they're 'adding value.
If the punter could afford decent representation to keep his Cali in one piece, good on him! Hope he has a damn good blast this year too
Speed, as an offence is total b
ks IMHO, if it's appropriate, like on the autoroute in good weather in the daylight. Dangerous and reckless driving (as referred to above) are serious IMO and there's no correlation between these things and "speed" is there?Speeding in reality is a stealth tax, as it's easy to measure and there's lots of punters and it generates serious cash.
Why don't the authorities focus on dangerous and reckless driving? 'Cos it's not 'cost effective' and it doesn't generate stats that make the enforcers look like they're 'adding value.
If the punter could afford decent representation to keep his Cali in one piece, good on him! Hope he has a damn good blast this year too
StuB said:
I think this is a good settlement as it confirms a precedent that the French state/prosecutors have confirmed that the guy clearly didn't significantly endanger life at this speed, like doing 80kph in a busy village centre would be, or like being "under the influence" at whatever speed, wherever, would be.
Speed, as an offence is total bks IMHO, if it's appropriate, like on the autoroute in good weather in the daylight. Dangerous and reckless driving (as referred to above) are serious IMO and there's no correlation between these things and "speed" is there?
Speeding in reality is a stealth tax, as it's easy to measure and there's lots of punters and it generates serious cash.
Why don't the authorities focus on dangerous and reckless driving? 'Cos it's not 'cost effective' and it doesn't generate stats that make the enforcers look like they're 'adding value.
If the punter could afford decent representation to keep his Cali in one piece, good on him! Hope he has a damn good blast this year too
So you condone driving whilst banned too?Speed, as an offence is total b
ks IMHO, if it's appropriate, like on the autoroute in good weather in the daylight. Dangerous and reckless driving (as referred to above) are serious IMO and there's no correlation between these things and "speed" is there?Speeding in reality is a stealth tax, as it's easy to measure and there's lots of punters and it generates serious cash.
Why don't the authorities focus on dangerous and reckless driving? 'Cos it's not 'cost effective' and it doesn't generate stats that make the enforcers look like they're 'adding value.
If the punter could afford decent representation to keep his Cali in one piece, good on him! Hope he has a damn good blast this year too
Agree on a fair bit of your statement, so I'm only poking fun
Once again, I guess because I posted this under Le Mans where the previous thread was posted, the assumption is made that the offence occurred during Le Mans week. Not a bit; it was in September and the car was not seized because it was not in his name but that of the company, otherwise he'd have lost it for good.
Whatever the political motivtion involved, the police here in La Sarthe are clamping down big time, since at this period last year there had been 3 deaths on the road and this year already 11. The last two weekends alone (hardly peak period) the BiB have been out in force at the weekends, resulting in 30 licences being taken away on the spot for either speeding or drink/driving, and over 1,500 fines for speeding.
Today being a lovely day, we are having a meet La Chartre for lunch, to the hotel which was the Aston Martin base in the days gone by, but unlike in the past we'll have to be very careful; a long straight road, sunshine, a fast car, nad one one never knows now just where they will be hiding. Sad but true.
Whatever the political motivtion involved, the police here in La Sarthe are clamping down big time, since at this period last year there had been 3 deaths on the road and this year already 11. The last two weekends alone (hardly peak period) the BiB have been out in force at the weekends, resulting in 30 licences being taken away on the spot for either speeding or drink/driving, and over 1,500 fines for speeding.
Today being a lovely day, we are having a meet La Chartre for lunch, to the hotel which was the Aston Martin base in the days gone by, but unlike in the past we'll have to be very careful; a long straight road, sunshine, a fast car, nad one one never knows now just where they will be hiding. Sad but true.
lowdrag said:
Once again, I guess because I posted this under Le Mans where the previous thread was posted, the assumption is made that the offence occurred during Le Mans week. Not a bit; it was in September and the car was not seized because it was not in his name but that of the company, otherwise he'd have lost it for good.
Whatever the political motivtion involved, the police here in La Sarthe are clamping down big time, since at this period last year there had been 3 deaths on the road and this year already 11. The last two weekends alone (hardly peak period) the BiB have been out in force at the weekends, resulting in 30 licences being taken away on the spot for either speeding or drink/driving, and over 1,500 fines for speeding.
Today being a lovely day, we are having a meet La Chartre for lunch, to the hotel which was the Aston Martin base in the days gone by, but unlike in the past we'll have to be very careful; a long straight road, sunshine, a fast car, nad one one never knows now just where they will be hiding. Sad but true.
This hotel - really like it thereWhatever the political motivtion involved, the police here in La Sarthe are clamping down big time, since at this period last year there had been 3 deaths on the road and this year already 11. The last two weekends alone (hardly peak period) the BiB have been out in force at the weekends, resulting in 30 licences being taken away on the spot for either speeding or drink/driving, and over 1,500 fines for speeding.
Today being a lovely day, we are having a meet La Chartre for lunch, to the hotel which was the Aston Martin base in the days gone by, but unlike in the past we'll have to be very careful; a long straight road, sunshine, a fast car, nad one one never knows now just where they will be hiding. Sad but true.
We used to head there on saturday, when large numbers of old and expensive cars gathered but, then the numbers seemed to drop and we found out that a new car show had started at st saturin, so we have been going there for the last 5 or 6 years. Sometimes still pop out there on thursday and walk around the village
12 million Brits travel thro France every year, France has a death toll of 7000 per annum, double that of the UK. I'm sure the GB input to that figure is minimal, Perhaps the French should look to their own cr*p driving stds to look where the problems lie. Lets face it, they found the average French driver couldn't understand, or cope with a simple road junction, so made most of them r'bouts. Fine, if they want to apply such Draconian laws for traffic infringments to visitors so be it, it's their country, (do they impose the same on their own), but I reckon a few reciprical arrangements need to be made in the UK. Lets take a few of their, usually, cr*p driven cars, or more importantly their awfully driven lorries, that contravine our laws, and introduce them to "Mdme Crusher".
I think crushing the car would have been OTT but the clampdown on speeding and the penalties have been well publicised so the driver should have known what to expect.
There was probably nothing to do with this example being a UK driver which singled him out, I think the speed (and choice of car) would be enough. No need to retaliate, one day soon the cameras might be connected across Europe anyway and that evens much of it out anyway.
If driving in France watch for others flashing their lights, but recognise all the risks involved.
There was probably nothing to do with this example being a UK driver which singled him out, I think the speed (and choice of car) would be enough. No need to retaliate, one day soon the cameras might be connected across Europe anyway and that evens much of it out anyway.
If driving in France watch for others flashing their lights, but recognise all the risks involved.
icepop said:
12 million Brits travel thro France every year, France has a death toll of 7000 per annum, double that of the UK. I'm sure the GB input to that figure is minimal, Perhaps the French should look to their own cr*p driving stds to look where the problems lie. Lets face it, they found the average French driver couldn't understand, or cope with a simple road junction, so made most of them r'bouts. Fine, if they want to apply such Draconian laws for traffic infringments to visitors so be it, it's their country, (do they impose the same on their own), but I reckon a few reciprical arrangements need to be made in the UK. Lets take a few of their, usually, cr*p driven cars, or more importantly their awfully driven lorries, that contravine our laws, and introduce them to "Mdme Crusher".
Have you read any of the threads on the French clamp down on their own drivers, like Lowdrags previously?Reciprical agreements ... I have yet to hear of a French car being caught at 158mph on any British motorway... Can you explain how a £1200 fine is draconian?
Yes they do impose the same on their own and in fact worse as they also have a points system .....
I dislike the drive to Le Mans these days as it's an exercise in restraint and observation on police points, rather than a relaxed run, I can't complain, we've all had our fun. What I wouldn't ever argue is that the French are being unreasonable about expecting any foreign motorist to adhere to their road laws, let alone doing 158mph.
I recognise this wasn't Le Mans week, however we've spoilt it for ourselves in years past, now we have to recognise the French authorities aren't going to tolerate the behaviour. There is something deeper to this than just whether the speed was appropriate, empty road, capable car etc .... There's an attitude of some British drivers that the French road network is for us to use as we please at whatever speed we please, it's an arrogance that's making driving in France more and more like the UK, which is now nearly ruined with speed kills idiocy.
Crime/time ......
On behalf of the owner, I spent a long day today dealing with the convoluted french authorities, which happily ended at 4pm with the restitution of his car. However, let me warn you as to how he got to be zapped by the radar, because - believe me - it shocked even me. Apparently the police set up a "hide" properly camoflaged, in a field above the motorway so that no one could have the slightest idea they were there. So it now seems that keeping your eyes peeled is not enough. Be warned.
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